Basic Medical Care

[pecker]

Hi, I just want to obtain some simple advice about health care in Thailand.

In Australia where I am from we cannot see a specialist without seeing a general practitioner GP first. Does such a rule apply in Thailand? When do people recommend seeing a specialist or a general doctor in Thailand?

I have had an sore ear on and off for a little while and people have been telling me to see a ENT doctor, that a general medical clinic is not recommended. (It gets sore to the point where it is awkward to sleep whilst resting on that ear, but never painful when eating.) What do people think?

Someone suggested I go to a hospital. In Australia of course one would only go to hospital in an emergency. Is it different in Thailand?

Do people drop in for a bit of advice and treatment from a local pharmacy? What are people's experiences of this approach?

I live in Chiang Mai. What are the costs of various options likely to be eg. is hospital more or less expensive? (Haven't got health or travel insurance.)

[wpcoe]

At the private hospitals I've attended (BNH and Bumrungrad in Bangkok, and Bangkok Hospital-Pattaya in Pattaya), I've been able to directly see a specialist without screening via a GP. e.g. Since you mentioned a sore ear, I've gone to each hospital, walked into the ENT clinic, and seen a doctor in the clinic. (I used to have chronic ear infections.)

In a government hospital, the procedure might be different? <shrug>

[RPETER65]

At the private hospitals I've attended (BNH and Bumrungrad in Bangkok, and Bangkok Hospital-Pattaya in Pattaya), I've been able to directly see a specialist without screening via a GP. e.g. Since you mentioned a sore ear, I've gone to each hospital, walked into the ENT clinic, and seen a doctor in the clinic. (I used to have chronic ear infections.)

In a government hospital, the procedure might be different? <shrug>

I have lived in Thailand for three years, and have had regular physical check ups at a private hospital, very inexpensive, when specialty care was needed a referal was made and I was able to see a specialist wthin an hour.

[phetaroi]

At the private hospitals I've attended (BNH and Bumrungrad in Bangkok, and Bangkok Hospital-Pattaya in Pattaya), I've been able to directly see a specialist without screening via a GP. e.g. Since you mentioned a sore ear, I've gone to each hospital, walked into the ENT clinic, and seen a doctor in the clinic. (I used to have chronic ear infections.)

In a government hospital, the procedure might be different? <shrug>

I'm relatively new to the country, but have already been to Bumrungrad once and Rutnin Eye Hospital once. I have also been looking into Bangkok Hospital's dental services. In each case, I could make an appointment online and was able to see the background and specialties of each doctor available, and often their photo.

Yes, you can go the pharmacy route. But keep in mind these are not doctors and certainly not specialists. They will generally advise the most common approach to what they think your problem seems to be...and keep in mind the language barrier. For some things that may be fine, but I'd hate to trust with anything serious. For example, I went into a pharmacy last week for a little rash. Fine. I went in another time for lactaid. They had never heard of it (okay) and tried to tell me acidopholus was the same thing. It's not.

Edited August 3, 2009 by phetaroi

[PeaceBlondie]

Sripat in Chiang Mai lets you go directly to specialists.

[Wee Jimmy]

Hi, I just want to obtain some simple advice about health care in Thailand.

In Australia where I am from we cannot see a specialist without seeing a general practitioner GP first. Does such a rule apply in Thailand? When do people recommend seeing a specialist or a general doctor in Thailand?

I have had an sore ear on and off for a little while and people have been telling me to see a ENT doctor, that a general medical clinic is not recommended. (It gets sore to the point where it is awkward to sleep whilst resting on that ear, but never painful when eating.) What do people think?

Someone suggested I go to a hospital. In Australia of course one would only go to hospital in an emergency. Is it different in Thailand?

Do people drop in for a bit of advice and treatment from a local pharmacy? What are people's experiences of this approach?

I live in Chiang Mai. What are the costs of various options likely to be eg. is hospital more or less expensive? (Haven't got health or travel insurance.)

I live in Udon and have had the same. Sore ear and glands. down here ther are independant ENT clinics and I would think you will have the same in Chang Mai. Ask some of the locals where they are. The cost was only about B600 and this included the pills he gave me.

Good Luck.